Thursday, October 25th, 2007
Area man dies in accident
By Shelley Grieshop
A 42-year-old St. Marys man died Wednesday evening after being struck by a semitrailer while running across U.S. 33, just west of St. Marys.
Robert Scott Schmitt, 625 E. Spring St., was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident at 4:20 p.m. along the four-lane highway.
The driver of the fuel truck, Bradford Thompson, 49, of Marion, Ind., was treated then released from Joint Township District Memorial Hospital, St. Marys. He reportedly suffered no physical injuries but was treated for mental distress.
The report from the Wapakoneta post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol said Schmitt was standing in front of a Chevrolet Blazer that was stopped on the berm of U.S. 33 for an unknown reason. He reportedly ran south across the highway and was struck by the westbound semitrailer, which was traveling in the left lane.
Troopers said they don't yet know why Schmitt ran in front of the semi to his death. The state patrol continues to investigate the accident and have released no other details.
Schmitt was the son of Paul and Sharon Schmitt of the Montezuma area. His wife, Veronica, also survives. Funeral arrangements are pending with Miller Funeral Home, St. Marys.
Schmitt's death marks the fourth traffic fatality this year in Auglaize County.
